§ 75. Mr. H. Thorneycroftasked the Minister of Transport what steps he has taken to implement the view expressed by the Committee of this House on the Rochdale Canal Bill in the special report presented to the House on 29th April, 1952, that the whole question of the future of canals should be dealt with by public legislation following a general inquiry; and when he expects the inquiry will be commenced.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydIn expressing this view the Select Committee was referring primarily to canals no longer required for navigation. I have carefully considered the Select Committee's views, in consultation with my right hon. Friends the Minister of Agriculture and the Minister of Housing and Local Government, and we are of the opinion that the question of instituting a national inquiry into the future of these canals should be deferred until it is seen whether the proposals regarding navigation made by the Land Drainage Legislation Sub-Committee of the Central Advisory Water Committee provide, or can lead to, an acceptable solution to the problem. Consultations with the interests affected by these proposals will start soon.